The St George Illawarra Dragons were 30-28 winners over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park on Monday.
The Young Dragons scored the winning converted try in the closing moments of the game following courtesy of winger Reuben Garrick's try and five-eighth Jai Field's follow-up conversion.
Head Coach Mat Head had made several changes to the line-up named midweek slotting debutant Matheson Johns in the centres in lieu of Keelyn Tuuta-Edwards who shifted to the interchange.
Furthermore, utility Izaac Thompson was a late inclusion on the wing and lined-up alongside returning prop Blake Lawrie who had previously been sidelined with a thumb injury.
The Bulldogs started the game strong with unconverted tries to Marcelo Montoya and Luis Strickland in the opening eight minutes giving the visitors an early 8-0 lead.
However, this was clawed back by Johns who bounced off two defenders to score just to the left of the upright in the 15th minute.
Field then converted and made it 8-6.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs re-extended their lead after Montoya picked up a first-half double in the 25th minute.
Bulldogs winger Josh Bergamin goal made it 14-6.
Yet, a cut out pass by Dragons fullback Matt Dufty put Thompson into the corner with an acrobatic putdown in the 35th minute.
Field converted to make it 14-12.
The visitors got one late shot in as centre Kiko Manu planted the ball just before the sirento make it 18-12.
The Bulldogs broke the scoring stalemate on the cusp of the hourmark when Bergamin managed to get the ball down despite a number of defenders hanging off him.
Fortunately, the hosts brought the deficit back to a six points when Dufty ran 90 metres to score to the left of the uprights.
Field then converted to put the score at 22-18.
From there, a cut out pass by Field put Garrick in the corner with eight minutes remaining to level scores at 22-all.
Field's goal put the hosts in the lead by two-points.
But just when it looked like the home side were taking control of the game, an injury to Dufty resulted in Bulldogs five-eighth Lachlan Lewis scoring under the posts.
Begamin converted from in front to give his team a 28-24 lead with five minutes remaining.
In a last roll of the dice though, the hosts levelled the score again through centre Keelyn Tuuta-Edwards grubber out right to Garrick.
Field then secured victory for the hosts with his goal.
St George Illawarra Dragons 30. Tries: Garrick (2), Johns, Thompson, Dufty. Goals: Field (5/5).
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28. Tries: Montoya (2), Strickland, Manu, Bergamin, Lewis. Goals: Bergamin (2/6).
